Three tricks to save your life if you’re stuck in a falling lift

The chances of being stuck in a falling lift are very slim.Source:Getty Images

FOR anyone who works above ground level, getting the lift is as mundane a part of your daily routine as brushing your teeth … but what would you do if you found yourself plummeting down a shaft in free-fall?

Despite it being a very unlikely scenario, there are a number of ways you can try to survive if you ever do find yourself in this horrifying situation.

Cushion the impact

If you’re travelling with luggage (or anything big and bulky) the best thing to do is lay or stand on top of it.

Whether it’s a suitcase, handbag, briefcase or canteen trolley, make sure you get on top of it to cushion the blow.

That’s because it’s possible that the items you’re on top of can break the force of impact and act like a crumple zone in a car.

Luggage or bags could cushion your fall, but this still may not be enough to save you.Source:The Sun

Jump

An urban legend suggests that if you jump at the right time, you can save yourself from death in a falling lift.

But unfortunately, the laws of physics — more specifically, the laws of relative motion — aren’t so optimistic.

Jumping in a lift will not save your life. Photo: Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

An average-sized lift falling 20 stories would reach speeds of over 151km/h before hitting the ground, whereas the speed of a human jump is about 5km/h.

The maths isn’t pretty: your body would still be travelling at 146.5km/h at the point of impact, so it’s very unlikely you’d survive the fall.

It would also be incredibly hard to push off the floor and jump in the first place if the lift was travelling that fast.

Jumping to save your life in a lift is futile, as explained through physics.Source:The Sun

Lay flat on floor

The best way to survive a falling lift is to lay flat on the elevator floor with your arms and legs spread out in a starfish shape.

This means you distribute the force of impact across your entire body and there is less chance of serious injury to one area.

Your best chance at surviving; lie down.Source:The Sun

You need to use the part of your body with the most fat on to cushion the blow, and try to protect your head and neck.

Lying flat on the floor is your best bet, but as we said, being trapped in a falling lift is very unlikely. Photo: Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

However, experts warn that it’s important to be aware of any shrapnel or debris which may come loose and hit you as you land.

This post originally appeared on The Sun and was republished with permission